Christian Ponder: 'Obviously, we want Percy Harvin back'

Christian Ponder says the team wants Percy Harvin back. He joins Adrian Petersen calling for Harvin to stay. (US Presswire)

Since talk of the Minnesota Vikings potentially looking to trade talented wide receiver Percy Harvin, there has been some push-back from the team's offensive unit. First, running back Adrian Petrson said last week that the team should keep Harvin, and now quarterback Christian Ponder has joined the chorus.

“Obviously, we want Percy back. He's a tremendous player and he's a Viking," Ponder said on KFAN Monday, according to SportsRadioInterviews.com. "And those are tough shoes to fill, and we don't want to fill them. He's a heck of a player and a heck of a part of this offense and this team in general. Of course we want him back.”

The multi-talented Harvin had a couple run-ins with head coach Leslie Frazier, but general manager Rick Spielman said Friday that the Vikings have no plans to deal the fourth-year pro out of Florida.

"We have no intent of trading Percy Harvin," Spielman told 1500ESPN.com's Tom Pelissero. "Percy Harvin is under contract, and we expect him -- just like all of our players under contract -- to be here. He is a very good football player, but he knows what he does for our football team."

Harvin was reportedly displeased with the team's offensive approach -- not with any issues with his contract. But Ponder said Monday that he and Harvin have a solid relationship off the field.

"During the offseason last year [we] spent some extra time together, and we had conversations, and he was great for me," Ponder said. "He was like, ‘If you're ever watching film, shoot me a text or call me and tell me I need to be watching this.' Yeah, we had a good relationship.”

As of now, at least, it appears that Harvin will be back in Minnesota in 2013, where he is due to earn $2.9 million in the final year of his contract.

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